Collectibles pouch

ABSTRACT

A pouch for enclosing a case containing a collectible item is provided, in which the case contains a label along an edge of the case. The pouch includes a window formed on the pouch and positioned such that the label is visible through the window when the case is enclosed within the pouch. A plurality of pouches containing cases may be stored adjacent one another, with the labels being visible through the windows.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to pouches for holding collectible items, particularly including comic books and the like that are stored in rigid or semi-rigid cases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Collectors of valuable comic books frequently store the comics in a protective case. In some instances, collectors store the comics in thin plastic bags, using a cardboard insert to aid in rigidity in order to protect the comic against folding or curling. Larger quantities of comics enclosed in this fashion are then stored in boxes that are sized to accommodate many comics stored in an upright fashion. While this system may be suitable for protecting the comics against damage caused by fingerprints and the like when the comic is handled, it provides only modest protection from damage due to rough handling.

For more valuable comics, some collectors encase the comics in a rigid case. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,207 describers a case formed from rigid or semi-rigid transparent plastic that is enclosed using sonic welding or other such techniques in order to create a tight seal, preventing moisture and air from entering the case. A grading certificate indicating the authenticity and quality of the enclosed comic may be sealed within the case as well, providing an efficient enclosure that joins the certificate and the comic without damaging the comic.

While the enclosed plastic case works well to protect the comic from the effects of mishandling, by its nature it does not protect the comic from exposure to light. The case must be essentially clear to enable others such as prospective buyers to view the cover and evaluate the quality of the comic (or at least its cover) and an autograph or other feature visible on the covers. Consequently, in order to protect the comic further from fading or other adverse effects associated with sunlight or other light sources, and likewise to protect against heat damage caused by the sun or other sources of heat, the plastic case is preferably encapsulated in a pouch. Unfortunately, while the pouch protects the comic from light and heat, at the same time it prevents others from seeing what is inside the pouch. If there are multiple pouches, it is a time-consuming process to open each one in order to determine the contents of each.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a pouch for enclosing collectible articles such as comics. In a preferred version of the invention, the collectible article is encased in a rigid or semi-rigid case formed from a translucent material such as PETG, acrylic, polycarbonate or other such materials. The encased structure further includes one or more indicia, such as titles or other identifying markings, grades, certifications, or other information. Most preferably, the case includes an edge in which a label is provided, with the label including identifying information and a grade for the article.

The invention also includes an outer pouch or sleeve for retaining the case, and preferably the pouch is formed primarily from an opaque material such as cloth or leather. The pouch is formed with a window along one edge corresponding to a location where the edge label on the case will be positioned when the case is enclosed in the pouch so that the identifying information is visible through the window when the case is enclosed within the pouch.

In a preferred version, the pouch includes a flap formed on an upper end of the pouch, positioned along the pouch opening in order to enclose the pouch. The window is preferably located along the fold lines, so that the window is positioned along an upper end of the case. In this fashion, a case enclosed within a pouch can be stored in an upright position, with the window at the top. When several pouches in this form are stored adjacent one another, the identifying information is readily visible for each case, allowing the contents of each pouch to be readily identified without removing the pouch from the storage container or removing the case from the pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred pouch, formed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pouch of FIG. 1, shown with an upper flap opened and a case inserted into the pocket of the pouch.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a case containing a comic and having other identifying information.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the pouch of FIG. 2, shown with the upper flap in a closed position.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a plurality of pouches as configured in FIG. 4, positioned adjacent one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a preferred pouch is shown. The pouch 10 includes a main pouch body 18 forming a pocket 30, and an upper flap 12. The upper flap may be folded downward toward the pocket to enclose the pocket, although in FIG. 1 the flap is shown in the open position. As illustrated, a first portion of a hook and loop fastener 14 is provided on the flap and a mating second portion of a hook and loop fastener 16 is provided on the main body such that when the flap is moved to the closed position the hook and loop fasteners cooperate to hold the flap in the closed position. Other enclosure devices such as snaps, strings, tape, bands, or yet others may be used in place of the hook and loop arrangement.

In a preferred version, the pouch is formed from a relatively flexible material such as leather or the like, and in one example it is lined with a soft liner material such as felt. In other versions the pouch need not be lined, or may be formed partially or entirely from fabrics or other materials.

A lower portion of the flap is formed with a transparent window 20 positioned in a cutout portion of the material forming the pouch. The window is preferably formed from a vinyl material attached to the pouch material using stitching or other means of attachment.

The pouch is configured with a size to allow it to somewhat snugly receive a case containing a comic or similar collectible, and most preferably a case of the type illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown, the case 40 is formed from a plastic material such as PETG, acrylic, polycarbonate, or other materials. In most instances it is formed from two or more pieces in order to receive a comic 50 and an internal front indicia 44. The case is enclosed using screws, sonic welding, glue, or other means in order to seal the comic within the case. Once closed, the case includes a height and a width corresponding to the length and width of the comic, as defined by viewing a front cover of the comic. As shown in FIG. 3, the width extends in a direction across the page from side to side and the length extends in a direction across the page from top to bottom. The length and width of the case are somewhat greater than that of the comic, in order to provide room for enclosing the comic and an internal identifying tag 44 that may provide information identifying the comic and providing a grade, certification, authenticity, and other information.

The case further defines a depth defined in a direction into the page. Thus, the case includes an edge extending around the perimeter of the case at the top, bottom, and sides, with the size of the edge equal to the depth of the case. Most preferably, an additional label 42 is provided on the top edge of the case. In one version, the label includes a title for the comic or other item stored in the case, along with a numerical or other form of grade for the comic.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the window 20 formed in the pouch is sized and positioned such that the label 42 is visible through the window when the flap is in the closed position. Because the case has a depth to it, there are two fold lines for the flap, include a first fold line 24 and a second fold line 22. In a preferred version, the width of the window is equal to the width between the two fold lines, with the width further being slightly greater than an expected depth of the case. In preferred versions, the window has a width of about ½ inch, ¾ inch, or 1 inch. The window further has a length sufficiently wide to view desired information on the label, and in a preferred version the length of the window is between 5 inches and 6 inches.

When the flap 12 is in the closed position, as seen in FIG. 4, the label 42 is visible through the window 20. In this configuration, a pouch may be stored in an upright position with the window toward the top, thereby allowing others to readily view the label through the window and identify the contents of the pouch without removing the pouch or even opening the flap. In one version of the invention, as seen in FIG. 5, a plurality of cases containing comics and configured as shown in FIG. 4 are stored in a plurality of individual pouches, each positioned adjacent one another with the windows visible adjacent one another. This storage configuration allows the contents of each of the plurality of stored pouches to be readily visible, even in the stored position.

In the preferred version as described above, the window is positioned along an upper portion of the pouch, along a pair of fold lines for the flap. In other versions, the window may be positioned on a side of the pouch rather than on an upper end with the flap. Thus, for example, in one version a window may be positioned along a side edge rather than a top edge, substantially in the vicinity of the arrow associated with reference number 10 in FIG. 4. In this version, the side edge window may be provided instead of or in addition to the top edge window. The side edge window allows a label to be provided along a side edge of the case 40 and visible through the side edge window. In this configuration, a plurality of pouches having enclosed cases may be positioned adjacent one another on a shelf such as a bookshelf, with each of the side edge windows visible and adjacent one another. This arrangement allows each of the contents of the pouches to be readily identified when stored on the shelf and in the pouches, without removing the contents from the shelf or from the pouch.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A system for protecting a collectible item in which the collectible item is stored within a case formed of transparent material, the case having a length from a top to a bottom of the case, a width from a first side to a second side of the case, and a plurality of edges including top, bottom, and a pair of side edges forming a case depth, the case further having a label positioned on one of the plurality of edges of the case, the system comprising: a pouch having an opening forming an interior pocket and a flap positioned adjacent the opening, the flap being moveable between an open position allowing access to the pocket and a closed position for enclosing the pocket; and a window formed from transparent material and positioned on the pouch such that the one of the plurality of edges containing the label is visible through the window when the flap is in the closed position.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pouch is formed from an opaque material.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the label is positioned on the top edge of the case.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the window is formed on the flap of the pouch.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the window has a width of between ½ inch and 1 inch.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the label includes an identification of the collectible item and a grade for the collectible item.
 7. The system of claim 4, wherein the flap further comprises a first fold line and a second fold line, the first and second fold lines corresponding to approximate fold locations of the flap when the flap is in the closed position, the fold locations substantially mating with the top edge of the case, and further wherein the window is positioned within the space between the first and second fold lines.
 8. A method for protecting a collectible item in which the collectible item is stored within a case formed of transparent material, the case having a length from a top to a bottom of the case, a width from a first side to a second side of the case, and a plurality of edges including top, bottom, and a pair of side edges forming a case depth, the case further having a label positioned on one of the plurality of edges of the case, the method comprising providing a pouch configured in accordance with claim 1; and placing the case within the pouch and moving the flap to the closed position; whereby the label is visible through the window of the pouch.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pouch is formed from an opaque material.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the label is positioned on the top edge of the case.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the window is formed on the flap of the pouch.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the window has a width of between ½ inch and 1 inch.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the label includes an identification of the collectible item and a grade for the collectible item.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the flap further comprises a first fold line and a second fold line, the first and second fold lines corresponding to approximate fold locations of the flap when the flap is in the closed position, the fold locations substantially mating with the top edge of the case, and further wherein the window is positioned within the space between the first and second fold lines.
 15. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: repeating the steps of providing a pouch and placing the case with the pouch for a plurality of pouches and a plurality of cases; and placing the plurality of pouches adjacent one another; whereby each of the labels for each of the plurality of cases is visible through a corresponding window for each of the plurality of pouches when the plurality of pouches are positioned adjacent one another. 